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Mid-Century Modern Furniture

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Small Futurist Style Serving Sideboard with Carved Panels, 1940s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Servant of great quality solid walnut, has 2 side doors with carved panels with characters of Futurist taste with gouged bottom, the center open compartment divided into 2 compartmen...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Saverio Jannace & Kovac Rosewood Center or Console Table, 1950
By Saverio Jannace, Alex Kovacs
Located in Rome, IT
Rare rosewood center table designed by Saverio Jannace and produced by Jannace & A. Kovacs , circa 1950 important central foot carved and beveled edge of the table brass detail for...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Glass Table Lamp, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern glass table lamp, 1960s.
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Vintage German Design, Kaiser Leuchten 6840 Desk Lamp, 1950s
Located in Renens, CH
Desk or table lamp by Christian Dell (model 6840), who designed this light in the early 1930s (Bauhaus Period), with production continuing until the 1970s. It features a aluminum la...
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Charlotte Perriand 'Applique Cylindrique Longue' Wall Lamp in White
Located in Glendale, CA
Charlotte Perriand 'Applique Cylindrique Longue' wall lamp in white. Perriand's iconic 'Applique Cylindrique' features a unique pivoting shade th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Set of Six Dining Chairs Model 2027 Designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
Located in Stockholm, SE
Set of six dining chairs model 2027 designed by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Sweden, 1950s. Mahogany, leather and brass. Josef Frank developed his characteristic style combining e...
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Gino Sarfatti Lamp Model 2065 White Diffuser, Black Hardware
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Gino Sarfatti lamp model 2065. White diffuser, black hardware, white cable. Manufactured by Astep Model 2065 Design by Gino Sarfatti The...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Modernist Office Armchair, Germany, Chromed Metal, Ca 1960
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Vintage rotating modernist office chair. German work from the 1960s. Structure in chromed metal and painted black at the base and armrests and u...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Large Wall Lamp by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, 1970s
Located in Parma, IT
Large wall lamp design Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte 1970s. Structure in painted metal with 4 lamps. Square diffuser made of two types of glass, t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Charlotte Perriand Berger Wood Stool by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Stool model Berger designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953-61. Relaunched by Cassina in 2011. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Reclaiming simple materials and basic shapes, with an eye to architecture and mountain life...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

1970s Oval Chrome & Brass Mirror with Console for DIA
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Brass and chrome frame mirror with glass shelf designed for Design Institute of America (DIA). This DIA mirror is a great choice for entry ways, vestibules, powder room vanity. It ha...
Category

1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Rare Italian Design: Ico Parisi 856 Lounge Chairs for Cassina, 1950s
Located in Renens, CH
A pair of “856” lounge chairs by Ico Parisi for Cassina, produced during the 1950s in Italy. The chairs have been beautifully re-upholstered in new dark brown semi-aniline leathe...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Several Wall Sconces or Wall Lights in the Style of RAAK Amsterdam, 1970
By RAAK
Located in Rijssen, NL
Set stunning sconces designed in the style of RAAK. Minimalistic design executed with a taste for excellence in craftsmanship. Good condition that means this piece is not new but in a very good vintage condition with some beautiful minor signs of wear and use commensurate with age. Each lamp consists out of two pipes with two bulb sockets for each pipe, on a warm brass wall plate...
Category

1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Cut Steel

Armitage Triple Suspension Lamp
Located in London, GB
Given the adjustable cable, The Armitage triple suspension lamp can be suspended at any given height in its designated space, working well in central positions with rooms, above bars...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Oil Painting by Genevieve Dael, Couple IV
Located in London, GB
A beautiful original oil painting by well known artist Genevieve Dael (French, born 1947). This is extremely well executed, it depicts a couple in a mysterious and atmospheric scene. This was created in 1993 and was originally in the Francis Kyle...
Category

1990s French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Armitage Floor Lamp, Black Walnut, Recycled Shade
Located in London, GB
The Armitage floor lamp was first put together in 1952 by esteemed architect and Joe's grandfather, Edward Armitage. Since then the lamp has been reengineered using sustainably sourc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Classic Leather Office Chair, Chateau Blue
Located in Westwood, NJ
A classic leather office chair in Chateau blue. This stately chair has a smooth leather interior and exterior and is accented with nailhead trim accents. It rests on a 5 prong base. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Reside...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swedish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Textile

Midcentury Italian Teak Oval Mirror, 1950
Located in Melbourne, VIC
Midcentury oval wall mirror designed in the 1950s and originates from Italy. The frame is made from teak and it features a visible rope for hanging.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamp by Giuseppe Ostuni for Oluce, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamp by Giuseppe Ostuni for Oluce, 1950s
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

LU Swing Sconce
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brass LU swing sconce made by Lumfardo Luminaires in patinated brass. Wired with an E26 medium based socket. Light bulb provided as well as a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Clarke Desk Maple Black
Located in Cincinnati, US
The Clarke Collection comes in ten different table top sizes, two wood species, and two metal finishes. The exposed stainless steel bolts blur the line between Scandinavian and Indus...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Arne Jacobsen Brass Door Handle Sets in Solid Brass
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Arne Jacobsen - Scandinavian Modern Original, solid brass door handles. Beautiful organic shape. An iconic design for both modern and classic interiors. Designed for the SAS H...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

10 Charles Pollock Executive Desk Chairs for Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 10 vintage Charles Pollock executive desk chair for Knoll. The ultimate ergonomic, office desk chair designed by this George Nelson apprentice, Charles Pollock. Sold separately.
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather

Monkey Sculpture by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950s, Glazed Stoneware
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stoneware. Signed. H: 15.5 cm / 6'' W: 19 cm / 7 1/2'' D: 13.5 cm / 5 1/4''
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Set of Four Mid-Century Pink Cotton-Velvet Heart Chairs, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A set of 4 chairs type A5828. Colloquially called "heart". The furniture was designed by Helena and Jerzy Kurmanowicz. They were produced in Radomsko Woodworking Factory and we thoro...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Beech

Mid-Century Italian Glass and Chrome Floor Lamp, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-century Italian glass and chrome floor lamp - 1970s.  
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

LUdish FWB Flush Mount
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Part of our Lumfardo Luminaires Contemporary Collection, the LUdish FWB Flush Mount is an elegant flat white hand painted aluminum and brass modern bowl flush mount light...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

XL Mid-Century Modern Holophane Paris Street Pendant Lights, France, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
This is a large original late 1960s Paris globe Holophane Street light from Paris, France now turned into a pendant light. The hallmark of Holop...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Glass

Italian Travertine and Glass Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice Italian coffee table from the 80's, handcrafted out of travertine. One round travertine plate and one turnable glass plate. The table is made of beautiful travertine.
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Travertine

Vintage Italian Single Sconce Designed by Reggiani
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian single handmade chrome designed by Reggiani, Italy, 1970s. Every item LA Studio offers is checked by our team of 10 craftsmen in our in-house workshop. Special restoration o...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Table Lamp Design by Romeo Rega Purple Lucite and Chromed Brass Base, Italy 1970
Located in Napoli, IT
Table lamp designed by Romeo Rega in purple Lucite and chromed brass base, Italy, 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pierre Jeanneret Pj-SI-46-a Office Armchair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Zürich, CH
This chair is not only a fantastic piece, it’s a design icon. It is raw in its simplicity, embodying an expressing nonchalance. There is something deeply relaxing about this design a...
Category

1960s Indian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cane, Teak

Red Italian Wooden Coat Rack, 1960s
Located in Brussels, BE
Red Italian wooden coat rack - 1960s European.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Crystal glass paper weight made and signed by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Sweden
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A fantastic rather large handmade vintage glass sculpture or paperweight made and signed by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta, Sweden. This piece is showcasing his enormous talent as a glas...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Art Glass, Cut Glass

Two Trays Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca, Italy 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Two trays bar cart by Cesare Lacca, Italy 1950s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Wood

Carrara Marble and Rosewood Cabinet by Alfred Hendrickx
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-Century Modern cabinet, Carrara marble, rosewood, Alfred Hendrickx Belgium, 1970s. This high quality cabinet is provided with two doors that are finished with locks and chrome...
Category

1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Marble, Chrome

Vase by Erich & Ingrid Triller, Sweden, 1950’s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase by Erich & Ingrid Triller, Sweden, 1950s. Signed. Stoneware. Dimensions: H: 17.5 cm / 7” Diameter: 14 cm / 5 1/2"  
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Vintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1960s
Located in Renens, CH
Vintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1960s Stool from the Pedestal series by George Nelson, with cover in playful orange vinyl. Nice and compact seat that ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Brutalist Mirror in Steel Bianca Garinei, Italy, 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A rare steel mirror by Bianca Garinei for Banci italy 1970 handmade steel work.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Murano Glass Ceiling Pendants
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Murano glass ceiling pendants Made for us exclusively in Italy Hand blown glass, custom finished metal Available in brass or patinated bra...
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

JENNY Large Wall Light or Sconce in Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Introducing Jenny, the latest vintage-inspired fixture from Blueprint Lighting. Named for multi-hyphenate Jenny Mollen; NYT best-selling author, actress, design enthusiast, mom of 2 and wife of actor Jason Biggs. From our Chief Luminary, Kelly Aaron: "I have been working closely with Jenny off and on for the past year while she gives her NYC apartment a facelift--it's been so fun! She and I share a love of 1950s French design, which is obviously a hallmark of the Blueprint aesthetic. One day Jenny texted a pic of a single vintage mid-century French wall sconce she loved and asked if Blueprint could make it for her. Funny enough--I, too, had seen that same sconce the day before and already had my Creative Director/Husband figuring out how to fabricate it. How great is that?! It was meant to be!" The Jenny sconce...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Nickel

SERENE Scandinavian Modern White Wood 19" Pendant
Located in Beaverton, OR
The Serene pendant light is a contemporary, Mid-Century Modern light fixture with a Scandinavian design and organic modern composition. This minimalist luxury wood veneer pendant des...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Bentwood

Maple Butcher Block Table by Claud Bunyard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Measures: W48 H29.5. Knee clearance 27. Solid maple dining table circa 1960s designed by Claud Bunyard for Design Research. Item offers high quality materials with a minimalistic ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Maple, Rosewood

Vintage Needle Point Canvas Pillow Designs by Lou Gartner
Located in Riverdale, NY
Charming vintage needle point canvas designs by Louis J. Gartner Jr. He was well known in the design world as a Sothebys consultant, artist and de...
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Akari Model 20n Light Sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
Located in Glendale, CA
Akari Model 20N light sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. The shade is made from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribs with Noguchi Akari manufacturer's stamp. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Carl Auböck Model #3653 Brass Bookends
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of Carl Auböck model #3653 brass bookends. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural pair of bookends are executed in patinated and polished brass. Produced...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Leather Top Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern leather top square game table. The gilt-tooled leather top is ready for play, with pivoting hinged drawers on the fr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pair Large Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Striated Multi-Colored Vases
Located in New York, NY
A Pair of Large Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano Glass Striated Blown, Yellow, and Clear Vases. Each is beautifully blow, and hand-cut into these marvelous vases which are superb i...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Cut Glass

Murano Hand Blown Chartreuse Green Glass Chandelier, in stock
Located in Miami, FL
Murano hand blown studio glass chandelier. All different shaped chartreuse green discs with white details, rigadin technique Brass plated structure with 24...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

1960s Italian Minimalist Brass Floating Mirror with Round Arched Top Frame
Located in New York, NY
3 available - Handcrafted Italian vintage Art Deco design mirror with an elegant rounded top brass frame enclosing a detached mirror creating a floating effect. The mirror plate ends...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Torno Desk Lamp or Table Lamp in Olivine Enamel & Brass by Blueprint Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Our best-selling Torno family of fixtures is now available as a desk or table lamp! Handmade by Blueprint Lighting, the spun aluminum shades are inspired by a vintage 1950s Italian d...
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Chrome, Nickel

Mint Condition Florian Schulz Onos Polished Brass with Side Counterweight
Located in Berlin, DE
This lamp is in perfect condition. The height is adjustable with the counter weight to any needs. To be on the safe side, the lamp should be checked locally by a specialist concer...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Distressed Clay Sculptures Vintage, 1960s
Located in London, GB
A beautiful and unusual pair of clay sculptures, these date from circa 1960s-1970s. They are unsigned but have a most interesting look and are a great size. They are very well made a...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Clay

Tommi Parzinger Floor Lamp for Parzinger Originals
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Whimsical enameled steel floor lamp by Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, circa 1960. The enameling on the steel standard gives the appearance the metal is covered in silver leaf. In...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Steel

Set of Two 20th Century Vintage Creme Boucle Atlantis Big Armchairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Atlantis armchair from the 1960s, produced in the Silesian furniture factory in Swiebodzin at the moment they are unique. Due to their dimensions, they perfectly blend in even in sma...
Category

20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Velvet

Pair of Beige Modern Italian Wall Lights "Maxina" Vintage Design Moderne ML134
Located in Lyon, FR
Pair of modern Italian sconces "Maxina" in beige half moon shape made by our Italian craftsman in the style of Stilnovo's work. Wall plat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Brass, Metal

Mid-Century Table by Jannace & Kovacs
By Jannace e Kovacs
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Table with inlaid rosewood legs, elm briar sides and ebonized under top. Black glass top, bronze tips. Packaging with bubble wrap and cardboard boxes is included. If the wooden pack...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Mid-century Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, seating, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Knoll, Fabio Ltd, and J.T. Kalmar. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.

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